“From as early as Wednesday, things were really quiet,” said Mrs Thomas, based in Cardiff’s Morgan Arcade.

“I think the fact that people knew the snow was coming, put them off.

“The whole of town was very quiet and I know some shops had to close because their staff were couldn’t get in.

“Luckily it has been worthwhile us opening. We’ve had quite a few people in and those who are making it in to town are buying – they’re making the most of the effort it’s taken to get here.

“It’s difficult to say how badly it’s affected us yet but as a small business we knew we had to make it in come hell or high water, and you do what it takes to stay open.

“On Friday it was really quiet, so we made the decision to close at 3pm instead of 5.30pm, but today things are picking back up again, so you’ve just got to get on with it again.”

Fellow Morgan’s Arcade business Wally’s Delicatessen was also badly hit, with manager Dave Pike estimating that profits would still be down by at least 50%.

Mr Pike said: “On Friday the other shops that opened closed at 3pm, but we stayed here until 5pm and got on with what we could.

“But it was quieter than an average Sunday, so it was just disastrous for us. There were more staff than customers both Friday and Saturday.

“I would say we’re about 50% down, maybe even more.”

The heavy snow which brought the country to a standstill during winter 2010 cost the UK economy at least £600m a day, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

It said a quarter of small firms lost up to £5,000 during the heavy snowfall of 2010-11 after they were forced to shut their doors for at least five days.

Meanwhile, Prof Morgan said improved management strategies were needed to reduce absenteeism in the public sector during difficult weather conditions.

He said: “There is a management issue here. We do seem to have a system whereby the private sector is able to get more out of workers and more commitment.

“It’s not an easy one, but there is a lot that the public sector can learn from private sector. The management processes are more effective.”

Janet Jones, chair of the FSB’s Wales policy unit, said: “Adapting to the changing climate, whether it is snow, flooding or simply a series of wet summers is now something business is getting used to. Climate change is a reality and something we have to live with.

“On a practical basis, local authorities need to ensure that we have enough salt stocks to keep roads open and that normal working practices and essential services are resumed as soon as possible.”

Businesses also expressed frustration with the impact of heavy snow on the nation’s workforce.

Gareth Jones, managing director of Audere Medical Services Limited, based in, Usk, said: “Having just returned last week from a skiing holiday in France, I find it quite incredible the amount of disruption snow causes here.

“It seems that every time it snows we come to a standstill but nothing ever seems to be done by the authorities to counter this.

“In France and other countries where they have a lot more snow, business and everyday life continues. Plans to deal with the weather are activated and roads and public transport remain open.”

Ian Summers, head of operations at Cardiff-based asbestos services company Kusten Vorland, said: “One of my suppliers in Sweden laughs down the phone at me when he watches us on the world news.”

A spokesman for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said: “Businesses have been frustrated that in previous big dumps of snow over the last decade, that infrastructure has creaked.”

Welsh Conservative shadow business minister Nick Ramsay said: “This winter’s first heavy bout of snow has caused considerable disruption. The snow has taken its toll on the Welsh economy, with lost business, parents unable to get to work through school closures and consumers unable to travel.”